Monday, December 12, 2011

100 Flowers - 21st Guessing (1989, DTK)

It would probably be smart to eliminate any confusion by mentioning up front that this is not the same 100 Flowers that were the spinoff of minimalist, L.A. punks The Urinals who recorded for Happy Squid Records.   Heck, that explanation took quicker than I anticipated, but as usual, I digress.  No, these 100 Flowers blossomed in Canada, possibly from Nova Scotia, yet they utterly ooze the aura of Midwest American indie combos like The Libertines, The Embarrassment, The Service, and by default, I guess it would be apt to point a finger at the Replacements too (though frontman Stephen Moore doesn't have a thing on Westerberg in the vocals department).  21st Guessing's most impressive moments, including "Roof tops" and "Pam" make a solid case for 100 Flowers being a lost artifact from the American heartland circa the late '80s, but this five-piece hailed from environs north, difficult as that may be to believe upon listening. 

There's little to nothing web-wise to unearth on this intriguing bouquet, but videos for "Pam" and "Haunted" are available on YouTube.  Since I have been unable to obtain an affordable vinyl copy of 21st Guessing, this rip was taken straight from an original cassette.  BTW, can anybody confirm if this came out on CD?  If anyone in/associated with the Flowers sees this, feel free to drop a line. 

01. Coming Up for Air
02. Pam
03. He and She
04. Nothing is Hard
05. Roof tops
06. The Best Status Symbol
07. Haunted
08. 21st Guessing
09. Darkness
10. The Naught
11. We're Waiting

Hear

8 comments:

Gordon B. Isnor said...

They were a Halifax band, fronted by Steve Moore, previously of Killer Klamz, who had a track on the seminal Halifax comp Out of The Fog circa 1986. They put out a second album on CD, can't recall the name....

Around the time of the second album the lineup included Henri Sangalang of previously of Kearney Lake Road (pre-Sloan band) and later of Flashing Lights. Carl Gosine was on drums, and a guy named Jon, last name I do not recall, on lead guitar. I filled in on guitar or bass for one gig with these guys at the Double Deuce in Halifax.

Nice to see these lost treasures showing up! Have been loving this blog for a while!

spavid said...

Thanks for the stats on 100 Flowers Gordon, and the kind words. I actually have an mp3 of a Kearny Lake Road song floating around somewhere on my hard drive. If the name of the second 100 Flowers album comes to mind feel free to leave another comment. Really appreciate the historical perspective you offered. The Halifax scene was (and possibly still is) red hot.

mcb47120 said...

they're so good! I love poltergesits at home, what happened to them?

Jonsview said...

Yes, Halifax band from the late 80's. I was the original drummer of the Killer Klamz, but was replaced by Rocko B. Beatklam when I left HFX for school. Carl Gosine took over from Rocko. The 100 Flowers did indeed evolve from the Killer Klamz. Their other album was called "places we sit" issued in 1992.

Jonsview said...

Yes, Halifax band from the late 80's. I was the original drummer of the Killer Klamz, but was replaced by Rocko B. Beatklam when I left HFX for school. Carl Gosine took over from Rocko. The 100 Flowers did indeed evolve from the Killer Klamz. Their other album was called "places we sit" issued in 1992.

Unknown said...

Thanks a lot Jonsview! I was the drummer on the first album. Carl took over drums when I moved to Vancouver after we returned from the 21st guessing tour in summer 89. Jonsview and I took drum lessons together at the music dept in Jr High school! Carl was ahead of us in the same program there.
Jon O'brien and I both played in Suspect Device first, playing gigs with 100 Flowers and Kearney Lake Road.
The first drummer for 100 Flowers was Gord Parsons who got sick and tragically passed away from Creutzfeldt Jakob (mad cow) disease during that time. He was replaced by Liz who stopped showing up for practices so they recruited me. Jon O'brien was already recruited for the band and convinced me it would be a fun thing to do. We recorded the 21st guessing album shortly there after.
Jon O'brien played bass on the first album and then switched to guitar for the second album.
Jack Wilson (guitar) left after the 89 tour as well sparking the lineup changes.
I was texting with Jonny-O last night in Toronto and he wants to start a country band and I said I'm in but we have to sound like Jason and the Scorchers!
David Watts

spavid said...

Hey David. Just got around to seeing your comment now. Thanks for all that infoon 100 Flowers. I just mailordered the second 100 Flowers CD a few weeks ago, which apparently you don't appear on. Anyway, take care.

halifaxmusicarchive said...

Hi, can this be re-uploaded??
Thank you so much!!!